Pakistan imposes curfew after deadly Iran protests

Pakistan Curfew Amid Iran Protests

Violence Spreads Across Multiple Cities

Pakistan’s government imposed a three-day curfew in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region following violent protests sparked by the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The unrest, which began after a US-Israeli strike killed the leader, led to widespread demonstrations in several cities, with the majority Shiite population in Gilgit-Baltistan at the center of the turmoil.

Authorities deployed military forces to quell the disturbances, which escalated into clashes between protesters and law enforcement. In Gilgit, crowds set fire to a police station and damaged a school, while Skardu saw thousands of Shiite demonstrators attack a UN office. According to police reports, at least 12 individuals were killed and 80 injured in the region during the riots.

“The safety and security of UN personnel and premises throughout the region remain our top priority, and we continue to closely monitor the situation,” stated Stephane Dujarric, a UN spokesperson, after the Skardu field station was vandalized during the riots.

Protests also reached Karachi, where demonstrators stormed the US consulate, breaking windows and attempting to ignite the building. Clashes there resulted in ten fatalities and over 50 injuries. In Islamabad, one person died during confrontations with police, while smaller demonstrations occurred in Parachinar, Dera Ismail Khan, and Peshawar without reported violence.

With its Shiite community second only to Iran’s, Pakistan’s northern regions have long been politically sensitive. The recent unrest prompted heightened security at US diplomatic missions nationwide, including road closures near the consulate in Lahore and Karachi. Both the US and UK embassies advised citizens to exercise caution amid the escalating tensions.

The riots coincided with ongoing border skirmishes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which erupted after Afghan forces retaliated against Pakistani airstrikes earlier in the week. The violence highlights the interconnected nature of regional conflicts and domestic dissent in the aftermath of the Khamenei incident.